Yay, I’m gonna see Graham Parker for the first time in September!

Cafe Society
1

(Title stolen from @einsteinshund :wink: )

Now. The Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham is a tiny little venue, seats 200, run largely by volunteers from the community, but boy does it punch above its weight. And it’s close enough for us to be regulars.

Two days ago a mailing-list email turns up: Graham Parker in September. What?? An acoustic set celebrating the 50th anniversary of Howlin’ Wind and Heat Treatment – in a two hundred seater??. Tickets on sale from 10 AM the next day. Let me tell you, I was logged onto the website booking page twenty minutes early. And I have my tickets.*

Confession #1: I wasn’t really interested in Graham Parker at the time. He was a bit of an anachronism – I mean, The Clash, Magazine, Elvis Costello, Deaf School and… Graham Parker? I discovered (and learned to love) him in later years.

Confession #2: the last gig I went to was The Fun Lovin’ Criminals** - go figure how long ago that must have been. We do a shit ton of comedy gigs these days - but music … Well, you get too old for what’s current - know what I mean?** Plus the only sizeable venue we were near closed down, so it would have been a significant effort to go see someone who didn’t really enthuse you. And there was work, family, all that stuff, y’know?

Confession #3: I really struggle with the idea of seeing someone play old hits many decades after their heyday. But Parker seems to be different. He was in his pomp in the late ‘70s; then he stopped being famous, but he didn’t stop being good. So I’m OK with this one.

Roll on September!

j

* - Actually, The Ropetackle is so sweet that they don’t actually have tickets, they have a guest list on the door. Love that place.

** - After writing that I realized it isn’t true. I saw my pal David (who has a UK Number 1 hit single to his name) a couple of years ago.

*** - That said there has been a fine crop of good new bands turning up in the last couple of years. I would dearly love to see The Last Dinner Party, for example.

2

What an amazing opportunity!
His first six albums are on high rotation in my mind.

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I always loved ‘Temporary Beauty’. Enjoy…!

4

I have to admit that I had not heard of him, but count me as a new fan!

5

I think he was pretty much unknown in Australia in the early-mid 70s, but toured here with the Rumour in 1978(?), billed as a sort of cut-price Elvis Costello and the Attractions, and that seems to have worked well. Physically similar, cranky little man stage persona in front of very tight bands and what were actually really nicely crafted pop songs given a new wave gloss. Went down a treat and did a couple of subsequent tours. Don’t know his later stuff but that late 70s songbook has always stood up well.

Have yourself a great time.

6

I saw him at the State Theatre in Sydney in 1978. Terrific show and I would go and see him again in a minute. He has the most wonderfully eclectic discography of any artist ever - a cover album of Lennon and McCartney songs that the Beatles didn’t do, an album of music for a non-existent TV station a song about Pablo Escobar’s hippos and plenty of good under appreciated albums. And he’s a funny guy. I am very jealous.

7

Thanks for the good wishes guys!

And I’ll take that as a personal success!.

As an aside (and speaking to his creative longevity), I guess Parker’s biggest years were around 1980, loosely speaking. Thirty years later he produced this. I could put together an argument that it is his finest achievement.

I really do hope he does some of the more recent stuff as well.

I just realized (coincidence?) - that particular upload of the song was made 2 weeks ago. To date there have been 7 viewings - I think 3 of them are me!

j